Tube dust health impacts

Zack Polanski: What further research still needs to be completed into the health impacts of tube dust?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has commissioned two academic studies to be conducted by independent researchers at Imperial College London on the potential health impacts experienced by London Underground workers (such as train operators and station staff) exposed to tunnel dust.
The first, a short-term study investigating sickness absence in relation to dust exposure, is currently underway and results are due to be published in late 2022. Dust monitoring for this aspect of the study commenced on the network in 2021. The second, a longer-term epidemiological study, is currently at the planning stage. Both studies are retrospective, looking at existing and past TfL employees.
In addition, TfL has recently collaborated with Imperial College on a further study looking at the health effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) dust on passengers with chronic lung disease. This study is due to commence with volunteers on the London Underground in 2022. This is a prospective study which will involve volunteers with pre-existing lung disease travelling with the research team and being monitored for dust exposure and health outcomes. The outcome of this study will be available in three to five years' time.
Although this research is valuable in adding to our understanding with regards to the potential health impacts of dust, it should be noted that monitoring of dust on the Underground confirms that all sites are well within the Health & Safety Executive’s exposure limit for respirable dust.

Knife crime (3)

Emma Best: For each year Oct 16 – Sep 17, Oct 17 – Sep 18, Oct 18 – Sep 19, Oct 19 – Sep 20 and Oct 20 - Sep 21, how many schools and colleges reported knife crime offences?

The Mayor: The Metropolitan Police Service advise that the information requested is not available as crimes are reported by individuals, not by institutions.
The reporting individual may or may not be a member of school staff and individual crime reports would need to be reviewed to retrieve this information

Knife crime (2)

Emma Best: For each year Oct 16 – Sep 17, Oct 17 – Sep 18, Oct 18 – Sep 19, Oct 19 – Sep 20 and Oct 20 - Sep 21, how many knife crime offences were reported at schools and colleges?

The Mayor: The Metropolitan Police Service has provided the information requested which is attached to this response. Please ensure the notes page is read in conjunction with the information to aid in interpretation.

The Mayor: 3851_Knife crime (2) (1).xlsx

Policing the DSEI arms fair 2021

Caroline Russell: What is the estimated cost of policing the 2021 Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) arms fair? Could you break this down by a) police officer shifts, b) police staff shifts, c) number of police officers, d) opportunity costs, e) overtime costs, f) non-pay costs, and g) costs recovered from event organisers?

The Mayor: The costs of policing this event are £3,024,378.76.
Further details are as follows:

The use of CCTV to help tackle crime

Caroline Pidgeon: What progress has been made by MOPAC working with the boroughs and TfL to develop a more strategic approach to CCTV across London and how are you ensuring better provision and use of CCTV to help tackle crime across London?

The Mayor: I support the use of CCTV in London as an effective tool in deterring and detecting crime. It is important to note that a significant proportion of the CCTV asset in London is owned and operated by local authorities, this is in addition to the TfL and MPS assets. While no single agency has London-wide responsibility for CCTV provision it is in everyone’s interest that an effective CCTV network is in place. For this reason, my Office for Policing and Crime are engaged with partners through the London CCTV Managers’ Forum to work towards a more effective strategic approach.

Extraordinary Funding and Financing Agreement for TfL (14)

Elly Baker: The Extraordinary Funding and Financing Agreement for TfL from 26 February 2022 until 24 June 2022 says, “On 15 December 2021, you [the Mayor of London] confirmed how you plan to generate between £0.5-£1.0bn p/a of additional revenue from 2023.” Will you publish this plan?

The Mayor: The Greater London Authority Consolidated Budget and Component Budgets for 2022-23, published in February 2022, sets out my financial plans for the GLA’s five functional bodies including Transport for London (TfL). Details of how I plan to generate additional revenue for TfL from 2023 are provided in Chapter 6 and pages 82-83 of this document, available here: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/final_budget_2022-23.pdf